Chip, While this method of control for PSK31 (set power to maximum and use audio drive controls to adjust output) works well with many rigs, it does not work with the K3. If the ALC meter is showing fewer than 4 bars, output power will be unstable, and if the power control is set to maximum, the K3 will do its best to achieve that power level, which is not what you want.
With the K3 in DATA A (or AFSK A), the recommended procedure is to set the audio drive at the level that results in 4-5 bars on the K3's ALC meter, and then use the PWR control to adjust the output power. You can think of the 4-5 bar point on the K3's ALC meter as the point where ALC is just starting to activate. With the K3 in PSK D mode, neither of these methods is possible. In PSK D there is no audio drive to adjust; the only control available is the PWR control. 73, Rich VE3KI Chip Stratton wrote: > I think the usual preferred method for getting maximum PSK power > output is to set your transmitter for its maximum potential power > output, but adjust PSK modulation to a point below which ALC > activation (and hence signal peak clipping) is not occurring. As Rich > says, this typically will be at an average power output of one half > what the transmitter is capable of delivering in CW or RTTY mode. An > PSK IMD meter would be ideal, but using this method seems to work > fine. I do not have a K3, but with my IC-7000 I use this method, > though usually setting modulation levels such that average power > output is in the 20 to 40 watt range if I'm trying to reach a > difficult station. > > Perhaps the adjustments on the K3 and KX3 are different if using > built-in PSK modulation? ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
